RTL Today - 'We want to live peacefully': Gare residents march in solidarity to reclaim their neighbourhood

On Sunday evening, in a show of community spirit, residents of the Gare neighbourhood organised a peaceful march to bring attention to local safety concerns.

On Sunday evening, 22 residents of Luxembourg City's Gare neighbourhood took part in a neighbourhood walk, accompanied by a police presence, in an effort to highlight ongoing local concerns. Organised via the WhatsApp group 'Quartier Gare, sécurité, propreté', the initiative aimed to promote peaceful civic engagement, shared responsibility, and a sense of community solidarity.

The march began at the Rue de Strasbourg stop and proceeded through Rue de la Fonderie and Hollerich, areas residents identified as hotspots for drug dealing.

The atmosphere was marked by a sense of solidarity, with participants engaging in conversations among themselves, and holding a constructive dialogue with police officers present to listen to community concerns.

Civil engagement for more visibility

David, the organiser of the march, said the initiative was motivated by a desire to increase visibility through civic engagement. According to him, conditions in the Gare neighbourhood have worsened over the past year he has lived there. “People have to navigate through this mess, adjusting their lives around what seems to be a growing issue”, he said.

He cited the presence of drug dealers, persistent unsanitary conditions, and what he described as a lack of effective police response as key concerns in the neighbourhood.

“We're not asking for anything special”, he said. “We're asking for the rule of law to be applied and for illegal activity to stop.” He added that, in his view, those contributing to addiction and public health issues are being met with a lack of resistance: “It seems we’ve laid out a welcome mat.”

Several residents have spoken about a perceived decline in the neighbourhood’s conditions. Some recalled a time when it was safe to let their children play outside unsupervised, a situation they say is no longer possible. Complaints about sanitation are common; one resident described finding feces regularly outside her building, stating, “I get up at 6am every morning to clean my front entrance. We find feces and needles almost daily.” Another shared that "it's almost impossible to sleep. We get woken up every night."

When asked about the possibility of moving, some residents expressed frustration, noting that the neighbourhood’s challenges have impacted property values. One resident commented that “the odds are against us” due to falling real estate prices in the area.

Stronger political action

Patrick, an active member of the WhatsApp group, described the initiative as a constructive way to show authorities and police that residents are willing to support their efforts. He added that the event also served to affirm that residents of the neighbourhood have rights too, stating that they “simply want to live peacefully in the neighbourhood.” His comments come in the context of recent government initiatives, including Drogendësch 2.0 and Interior Minister Léon Gloden’s pledge to “give Gare residents their neighbourhood back.”

Patrick expressed frustration with the pace of political action, arguing that certain measures, such as the Platzverweis (a draft bill aimed at expanding police authority to remove individuals causing disturbances from public spaces), should have been introduced much earlier. “We need the Platzverweis. Anyone who’s against it should come and say it to our faces,” he said. “The Consultative Commission on Human Rights talks about rights, but what about our rights as residents? We don’t just need it now, we needed it yesterday. It’s a key tool that would give police the means to act.”

The police themselves have acknowledged feeling “frustrated with the situation” but stated that they continue to act with the resources and tools available to them.

A community action that bore results

By the end of the march, the outcome was seen as positive by participants. Over the course of just over an hour – and following a constructive exchange with police, during which residents were able to share their concerns – participants expressed satisfaction at having made their presence felt in the neighbourhood.

Residents have indicated a willingness to continue organising similar actions in the future.